Heel-support.



J. LA CROIX.

-, vHEEL SUPBORT. AvPPLIoeTIoN FILED 111191.29, 1910.

Patented Feb. 21., 1911,

l e l e Y f f e] @farbe/f JOSEPH LA CROIX, or" SourHBaIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

HEEL-SUPPORT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented, Feb. 21, 1911.

Application led August 29, 1910. Serial No. 579,442

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH LA CROIX, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Southbridge, in the county of 'Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Heel-Support, of which the folf lowing is a specification.

This invention relates to a device for supporting the heel of an operator in such a position that he can bringthe front part of h1s foot. conveniently into place for operating the accelerator treadle or lever of an automobile; also to provide a` support of this char# acter with means whereby the'heel is not only conveniently supported, but 1s capable of making thenecessary motion to operate the treadle and to leave itin a convenient position when the operators foot 1s at rest.

The invention also contains severa-l other features and advantages and improvements in details of construction as willappear here-I inafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing in which--` Figure 1 is a side view of a portion of an automobile showing an ordinary accelerator` treadle and a heel support therefor constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a side View of the heel support on a larger scale showing thesame in the position which it assumes when the toe of the foot is raised and the heel is brought back. Fig. 3 is a similar; view showing the support in the other extreme position and showing the internal parts in longitudinal cross section, and. Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view thereof.

Ordinarily the accelerator lever or treadle is operated by the operators foot and the heel rests below near the angle at the bottom of the foot rest. This results in digging the heel into the parts below that support it,

and as there is no particular place for thel heel to rest the operator does not always get it in the proper position for the most etli- Acient operation of the treadle. Jalso as there is a tilting movement of the foot heel is likely to Jget out of place and the toe some times slips from the treadle. This invention is designed to remedy these defects and provides a positive support for the heel Which always will be in proper position, but Which can more sufficiently to allow for the necessary movements of the operators foot. Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the treadle 10 is shown in the usual position near the dash of an automobile. Located on the slanting part 11" between the treadle and the bottom 12 of the front portion of the machine is a fixed base 13 having a straight ear lit and an angular ear 15 by which it is secured-'respectively to the slantingand the horizontal parts 11 and 12. In this way it is located )ust above the angle between these two parts. This base is shown as provided with an integral cross piece 140 and as having a fixedrod 150 extending through they cross piece from end to end. Thislrod preferably is screw threadedv at one end so that it can be removed for repairs. The base, which obviously isdocated on an incline and at a suitable distance from the treadle 10, is provided with an uppersurface having an integral'stop 16 at the to thereof. On this' surface is a plate 17 having a pair-,of ears 18 standing downwardly therefrom and perforated 'to receive the rod 150. This rod therefore serves as a guide for the plate 17 and the plate is capable of sliding up and down the inclined surface until itstop comes into engagement with the stop 16. The ears 18 are so located and designed -that they also come` into engagement with the partition 140 and the end of the base when'the top of the plate engages the stop 16.v Mounted between the partition 140 and the upper ear 18 is a spring 19 surrounding the rod and acting normally to force and hold the plate in its uppermost position against the stop.

Mounted transversely -on the plate 17 is a rod 20 also screwtlneaded at one rnd. On this rod is mounted the heel support 21. This support is capable of swinging about the center of the rod 'as an axis. ,It comprises a flat plate for supporting the heel of the operator and a rim 22 around the back thereof for holding the heel in position. The rod LA() passes through two .integral lugs 23 on the bottom of theheel support and the end of the rod is secured in one of these lugs so the rod turns with the heel support. A spring 25`extends around this rod and engages the heel support at the back and the plate '17 below. Therefore this spring normally holds the back of the heel up, but permits the heel to swing on an axis sllhstnmially at its center. ln this way the heclis capable of two independent motions, both resiliently resisted, so that the operators foot can take all the positions necessary for operating the trundle and yet the springs bring the heel support back to proper position. It will be seen also that the operator is always certain that his heel is in proper position if it'is on the plate and 1. The combination with an acceleratori' treadle for an automobile, of a heel support i adjacent thereto movable toward and from the treadle.

12. The combination with an accelerator tre'adle for an automobiie, of a heel support adjacent thereto movable toward and from thetreadle, and oscillatable on a transverse axis. a

3. In a ,device of the character described, the combination of a fixed base adapted'to be mounted in inclined position, with a heel support slidably mounted thereon, and slidable longitudinally along the base.

4. In a device of the character described, thc combination of a fixed baseadapted to be mounted in inclined position, with a heel support slidably mounted thereon.

5. In a device ofthe character described the combination" of a fixed base adapted :to be mounted in inclined position, -with a heel support slidably mounted thereon, and

4with its rear end up.

means for'resiliently holding thc heel support at the to of the base.

v6. In a device of the character described, the combination of a fixed base adapted to beI mounted in inclined position, with a heel support pivotally mounted thereon,- and means for resiliently holding up the rear of the heel support. y

7. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a base, a fixed rod thereon, a 'plate slidable on the base having guides enfaging said rod, a spring for normally ho support mounted on the late.

8. In. a device of the c aracter described, the combination of a base, a fixed rod thereon, a plate slidable on the base having guides en avinu said rod a s rin@ for normal] C D 7 D holding the ,plate in one position, a transverse rod on said plate, a heel support pivoted to swing about the center of said transverse rod, and a spring for normally holding said heel plate in one position.

9. As an article of manufacture, a pivoted heel support constructed and adaptel to be mounted on an incline and rcsilientiy held 10. As an article of manufact-ure, a slidable heel sup-port constructed and adapted to be mounted on an incline and'resiliently held up.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto setmy hand, in the presence of .two sub- .scribing Witnesses.

4Josnrn LA CROIX.

Witnesses:

M. B. CLEMENCE, A. J. LA CRoIx.

ding the plate in one position, and a heely 

